Electric heater



2 Sheets-Sheet w. A. GOODMAN ELECTRIC HATER Filed Deo. 27, 1923 I 2. VQQMQMQMVQWO. www@ A AV s AV O Q Q C Y Y@ O @0% pril 21, 1925.

April 2l, 1925. 1,534,778

w. A. GOODMAN ELECTRIC HEATER Filed Dec. 27, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC HEATER.

Application led December 27, 1923.

Y '0 all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. Goon- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The general purpose of my invention may be inferred from the title thereof; but it is a special object of this invention to provide an electric heater comprising a composition body and made in standard sizes, some of which may be suitable for insertion within thev walls of living-rooms, or the like, and between the studding thereof, while other forms may be provided on all sides with an external metallic or other casing, and optionally with legs, or with other features of construction suitable to portable heaters, to be sold as separate articles of commerce and used in any position desired. It is an object of this invention to provide electric heaters, or the like, with, suitable l5 means permitting not only an effective radiation of heat there-from but also with means favorable to a continuous or controlled circulation of air therethrough.

It is an object of my invention to provide an electric heater with a floor plate comprising a major or outlet opening and a minor or inlet opening arranged below the same, each of the mentioned openings being preferably provided with a grid, or its equivalent, adapted to prevent accidental contact of clothing or the like with an element heated by electric current.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel electric heater Comprising a major or radiator recess and also a minor or air-feed recess, the latter being preferably below and parallel with the former, and separated therefrom by a web or partition provided with apertures or passages adapted to effect a favorable distribution of air advancing from the lower recess into the upper recess, as a result of convection; and the mentioned lower recess may optionally be provided additionally Serial No. 682,859.

with a valved inlet aperture extending through the lower wall of the body of my electric heater in a manner permitting the delivery of cold air from an outside source therethrough.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric heater comprising an insulating body and a front plate of the general character described with means for suitably spacing the mentioned elements apart and for retaining them in a desired relationship; and my preferred construction for the purpose last referred to may comprise channel irons interposed between the mentioned insulating body and the mentioned front plate and also U-bolts, or the like, preferably inserted in the mentioned body in such a manner as to serve not only for the reinforcement thereof but also for engagement, by means of nuts or the like threaded thereon, with the respective corners of a front plate.

Although the heating elements per se employed in my invention, need not be of novel character, my invention may comprise not only the structural elements above referred to, and suitable incasing or supporting means which. may optionally be associated therewith, but also ay suitable reflecting plate, fitted within the mentioned major or radiator recess and suitably secured therein, but also specific arrangements of conductive and nonconduetive elements and apertures or retaining means therefrom, as hereinafter described.

Otherobjects of my invention will appear' from the following description of a form thereof suitable for use in the walls of a building and a form thereof suitable for sale and use as a portable article of commerce, taken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, in which,

F ig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an electric heater of my improved design showing the same as inserted in a wall, this View being taken on a line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a wall heater of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to 2 butl showing parts broken away to exhibit a preferred interior construction.

Fig. 4 is a slightly enlarged horizontal sectional view, which may be regarded as taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fi 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail view hereinafter referred to and showing a preferred mode of attaching my heating elements, these elements themselves being not necessarily novel 1n either their composition or mechanical structure.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a front view and a vertical section of a heater of the general type illustrated in the preceding figures but rendered portable y the provision of an outside casing and suitable supporting means.

Referring to the details of that specific embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, l may be a floor, and 2 may be the substantially vertical studs of a wall, the respective narrower vertical surfaces of the studs 2 being provided with lath and plaster or wallboard 3 or a like coating, a conduit or pipe 4 being shown as extending upward from beneath the floor 1 in a manner permitting the optional introduction of fresh, cold air from without.

Coming now to the strictly novel features of my invention, 5 may be a body of any preferred heat insulating composition, this composition being also preferably a poor conductor of electricity. This body may advantageously be formed of a plastic mixture of known type, and my preferred mixture for the purpose referred to contains Portland cement, or other hydraulic cement, admixed with diatomaceous earth and sufficient water to impart a suitable degree of plasticity, this plastic composition, or its equivalent, being` preferably molded in advance and permitted to set and harden into one of a number of stock sizes, suitable for use in walls of any usual thickness or type, the body 5 being in any case preferably provided vnot only with a major or radiator recess 6, in the upper portion thereof, but also with a second and minor airfeed recess 7 separated therefrom by means such as web or partition 8, shown as provided with a plurality of substantially vertical and parallel air distributing passages 9.

By the means referred to or their equivalent my novel electric heatermay be provided with means permitting not only a distribution of heat by radiation but also with means favorable to the distribution of heat by convection, cold air being permittedv to enter the air-feed chamber 7 and torise therefrom into contact with heating elements of any preferred character positioned in the major recess 6; and, in embodimentsof my invention chosen for purposes of illustration, the block 5 may also' be provided with a substantially vertical channel or opening 9a shown as extending from beneath the same into the air-feed recess 7, this passage 9 being adapted to cooperate with the conduit 4, when such is employed, in the introduction of fresh air from an outside source,-materially contributing to the suitable ventilation of a room in Whose wall or Walls a heater of the type referred to may be employed.

In kthe casting of a body 5 of the general character described, I may advantageously provide not only for the recesses and conduits above referred to but also for the suitable attachment of a front plate and heating vunits thereto, and my preferred means for the purposes last referred to may comprise bolts or screws 10, originally provided not only with heads 1l or their equivalent but with washers 12, the elements here referred to being embedded in such manner as to bring the outer surfaces of the mentioned washers tlush with the surface 13 through lwhich the screws 10, or their equivalent,

may project substantially at right angles.

Although means similar to those just described might optionally beemployed for the retention of a front or register plate 14,

or its equivalent, I consider it advantageous to employ for the purpose last referred to means such as the bent rods or U-bolts 15,

capable not only of cooperating with nuts 16, threaded thereon, in the retention of a front plate, but also capable of serving as an actual reinforcement of the block 5, through which they may advantageously extend in a verticalplane in the manner best illustrated in Figures 1 and 7. Although the front plate 14 may be of any preferred type, I consider it advantageous to employ a front plate of the general character shown in Figures 2 and 6, this plate being provided not only with a ina-jor aperture opposite the major or radiator recess in block 5, but also with a minor aperture 18 opposite the air-feed recess 7. thc latter aperture being adapted to admit cool air laterally into said recess, from which it may rise, i'n the manner above indicated, through the distributing openings 9 thereabove and in contact with the heating elements in the radiator recess 6, in an obvious nianner,--and both of the apertures 17 and 18 being preferably provided with grids or reticulated guards adapted to prevent accidental contact of clothing, or the like, with a heating element enclosed thereby. Especially when my novel electric heaters are to be enclosed or incorporated in a wall, or the like, any suitable means may be provided for the spacing of a plate 14, or its equivalent, fi'oiii a block 5, my preferred means for the purpose last referred to being channel irons 19,

20, which obviously may be selected with references to the thickness of a lath-andplaster or wallboard construction inconnection with which my novel heater is to be employed.

Although the channel irons 19, or their equivalent may optionally be provided on all four sides of the frontof aheater of my novel design, it is of primary importance that they extend across the top and bottom therof, being preferably retained in their intended position by the threading of the outer or free ends of the bent rods or U-bolts 15 therethrougl and when my novel heater is provided with a front plate having separate outlet and inlet apertures 17 and 1S or their equivalent, I may advantageously employ also an intermediate channel iron 21 or its equivalent shown as extending horizontally opposite thev web or partition 8; and the channel irons 2O and 21 may opiionally -be apertnred to receive and to provide bearings for a pin 22, carrying damper or valve 23, whose handle 24 may extend outwardly through a slot 25 in the front plate ll,- to alford a ready means for control of the introduction of cold air from an outside source, or merely for the introduction of air through the mentioned aperture 9a or its equivalent.

-Xlthough the radiator recess 6 may be of any preferred configuration, I consider it advantageous to provide the same with a bottom or back, the lower portion 26 of which may be substantially vertical and parallel with the plate 12, although the upper portion 27 thereof may advantageously be forwardly inclined in a manner favorable both to the outward deflection of an air current and to lthe downward reflection ot' radiated heat, as best shown in Figures 1 and 7; and I may Iadvantageously provide` within the radiator recess 6, not only heating element or elements 29, or their equivalent, but also a metallic or other heatreflecting lining 30, which may advantageously be formed of polished sheet copper,

or its equivalent, from which the heating' elements 29, shown as retained by nuts 31 upon the mentioned screws 11, may be spaced by any suitable means such as washers or nuts S2, which may be formed of or associated with insulating material or material of -low electrical conduetivity,-similar nuts or washers 33 being optionally interposed between the heating elements 29 and the mentioned nuts 31.

As illustrated in Figures-6 and 7, instead of positioning my novel electric heater in a wall or the like, I may optionally incorporate the same in a portable unit. The insulating blocks 5, or their equivalent, being in any case formed in advance, and not on the job I may optionally surround the same with a metallic or other casing,which may be in the form of a substantially rectangular box 34, which may be provided with legs 35, of anypreferred type, or with other supporting means, and which may correspond in its external dimensions to the outline of a front plate 14 to be used in. connection therewith; and, although it will beY obvious that a heater possessing many of the advantages of my described construction might be provided even without the use of the channel irons 19, or their equivalent, when the latter are employed it will be obvious that the depth of the box 34 should vbe sufficient to accommodate not only the block 5 but the auxiliary 'and connecting elements referred to; and obvious also that, if Wiring is to be carried through lateral apertures 36. shown as coincident with apertures 37 in the metallic or reflecting lining of the recess or chamber 6, corresponding lateral aperture or apertures may optionally be provided (at points not shown) in the substantially vertical sides of the enclosing casing 34.

The heating elements 29, or their equivalent, may be connected by any suitable means such as screws 3S, shown as provided with nuts 39, these screws preferably projecting from the inner or hidden surfaces of the respective heating elements, for the conduction of electricity thereto; and the conductors may optionally be carried inward through one of the lateral openings 36 and outward through an opposite lateral opening, branches being preferably provided in such manner as to connect the heating elements, when a plurality of such elements are employed, in parallel rather than in series,-thereby adapting my heater to be used in any usual constant-potential electric system.

Although I have herein described two complete embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that these are merely illustrative of the general scope-and character of my invention, which may be carried in stock sizes suitable for inter-position in walls of any usual or preferred type or provided in portable organizations of any required size, and also understood that various features of my invention might be independently employed and that various modifications might be made without the slightest departure from the spirit and Scope of my invention as the same is indicated above and in the following claims:

lVhat I claim is:

1. An electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material. a recess formed inthe side of said body, a partition formed in said recess adapted to define an air feed recess and a radiating recess, an electric heating element disposed in said radiating recess above said partition, and passages formed in said partition permitting llO air feed recess to said radiating recess.l

2. An electric heater comprising an up- 'right body of insulating material, a recess formed in the side of said body, a partition formed in said recess adapted to define an air feed recess and a radiating recess, an electric heating element disposed in said* -radiating recess above said partition, pas-l sages formed in said partition permitting air to pass through said partition from said air feed recess to saidradiating recess, and an opening formed in the bottom of said body communicating with said air feed recess.

3. An electric heater comprising an upi right body of insulating material, `a recess formed in the side of said body, a partition formed in said recess adapted to' define an air feed recess and a radiating recess,an1 'electric heating element disposed in said radiating recess above said partition, passages formed in lsaid partition permitting air to pass through said partition from said air feed recess to said radiating recess, an opening formed in the bottom of said body communicating with said air feed recess, and

aA damper in said opening.

4. An electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material, la recess formed in the side of said body, a partition formed in said recess adapted to define an fair feed recessA and a radiating recess, an

electric heating element disposed in said radiating recess above said partition, and passages formed in said partition permitting air to pass through said partition from said air feed recess to said radiating recess, said radiating recess being lined with a metallic 5. n electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material, a -recess formed in the front faee thereof, a partition formed in said recess defining'a radiating recess and an air feed recess, an electricheating Velement disposed in said radiating recess, a cover plate secured to said body having apertures permitting heat to be radiated therethrough from said radiating recess, and other apertures permitting air to enter said airfeed recess, lthere being openings -formed in said artition permitting air to y pass from said air feed recess to said radiating recess.

6. An electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material, a recess formed in the front face thereof, a partition formed in said recess defining a radiating recess and anl air feed recess, an electric heating element disposed in said radiating recess, a cover plate secured to said body having apertures permitting heat to be radiated therethrough from said radiating recess, other apertures permitting air to enter said air feed recess, there being openings formed insaid partition permitting air to cating with said air feed recess whereby air may enter said air feed recess through the bottom. of said body.

7. An electric heater comprising an .upright body of insulating material, a recess formed in the front face thereof, a partition formed in said recess defining a radiating recess and an air feed recess, an electric heating 'element disposed in said radiating recess, a coverV plate secured to said \body having apertures permitting heat to bev radiated therethrough from said radiating Irecess,-other apertures permitting air to enter said air feed recess, there being openings formed in said partitlon permitting air to pass from said air feed recess to said radiating recess, and an'additional communicating with lsaid air feed recess whereby air may enter said air feed recess through the bottom of said body, said opening being provided with a damper having a Y 8. An electric heater comprising an upright bodyof insulating material, a recess formed in the front face of said body, a partition formed in said .recess defining a radiating recess and an air feed recess, openings formed in said partition permitting air to pass from said air feed recess into said radiating recess, an electric heating element in said radiating recess, an opening formed 'in thebottom of said body permitting air to enter said. air feed recess therethrough, and a damper for said opening.

9. An electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material, a recess formed in the front face of said body, a partition formed in said recess defining a radiating recess and an: air feed recess, openings formed in said partition permitting air to pass from said air feed recess into said 'radiating recess, an 'electric vheating element in saidv radiatingreccss, an

opening formed in the bottom of said bodyl permitting airto enter said air feed recess therethrough, and a damper for said opening, said radiating recess being lined with a -nietallic casing. p

10. An electric heater comprising an upright body of insulating material, a recess formed in the front face of said body, a partition in said recess defining an air feed r'ess and a radiating recess, openings in opening formed in the bottom of said body v handle extending through said cover plate.

'11. vAn electric heater comprising an npright body of insulating material, a recess formed in the front face of said body, a partition in said recess defining an air feed recess and a radiating recess, openings in said partition permitting air to pass from said air feed recess into said radiating recess, means for admitting air to said air feed recess, bolts disposed in said radiating recess having their heads imbedded in said 10 body, and electric heating elements mounted upon said bolts and held in spaced relation to said body, said radiating recess beinglined with a metallic casing.

name to this specication.

W. A. GOODMAN. 

